The Board of Trustees of the North Canton Public Library
held a regular meeting on Wednesday, January 19, 2005 at the library. Mrs.
Hoover called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. with the following members
present: Mr. Dansizen, Mr. Lawton, Mrs. Schiltz, Mr. Smetana, Mrs. Zollinger.
Absent: Mr. Shoup. Others: Karen Sonderman, Farilyn Buchman. Guests: Phil
Stahler, Linda Bayman, Kathy Schen.
The Oath of Office for Mrs. Zollinger was tabled pending
confirmation of her appointment from the North Canton Board of Education.
Mrs. Zollinger moved, Mr. Lawton seconding, to approve
the minutes of the December 15, 2004 meeting as presented. Ayes: Dansizen,
Hoover, Lawton, Schiltz, Smetana, Zollinger. Absent: Shoup.
The Clerk-Treasurer’s report for December and the
2004-year was presented and filed for audit.
Mrs. Schiltz moved, Mrs. Zollinger seconding, to accept
the following gifts for the Memorial and Gift Fund;
Proceeds from the ACME Store Cash Back Program were
$489.29 based on a 1% rebate on store receipts that we collected.
The W. Henry Hoover Trust gave a gift of $5,000
The Richard S. Hoover Trust gave a gift of $3,000
Ayes: Dansizen, Hoover, Lawton, Schiltz, Smetana,
Zollinger. Absent: Shoup.
The Director presented the statistical report for
December and the 2004-year. With a year-to-date circulation that showed a 5%
increase over the previous year we exceeded the 1,000,000 mark early in
December. Detailed circulation figures were shared, which show a significant
increase in the circulation of books, mainly in the adult non-fiction
collection. Although our audiovisual collection has a health turnover, it is
still the printed materials that the majority of our borrowers want. The OLC
is making plans for a battle, with the threat of the loss or reduction of the
LLGSF funding for libraries throughout the state. Local Government Fund
recipients, mainly townships and small government entities, are joining forces
with the libraries and OLC to fight this threat at the legislative level.
Joint meetings are being held state wide so that a united front may be
presented, and all will be prepared to deal appropriately with the news media.
The Unique Collection Agency has reported that they are very pleased with the
six-month return rate received on our accounts. We are receiving an over 50 %
response rate to their initial contact, which has netted over $7,000 in fines
and returned materials.
Mrs. Zollinger moved, Mr. Lawton seconding, to accept
the appointment of Carrie Hayes as a 40 hour administrative assistant,
effective January 3, 2005 at an annual salary of $31,200.00. Ayes: Dansizen,
Hoover, Lawton, Schiltz, Smetana, Zollinger. Absent: Shoup.
Mr. Dansizen, Building Committee Chair, reported on the
melt down of our boiler heating system on January 12. The Fire Department was
called, and the library was closed early to allow smoke to clear from the
building. Because this is our only source of heat to the building emergency
repairs started almost immediately. Thanks to the warmer weather temperatures
it was not necessary to close while we awaited the installation of a temporary
heating source. After consultation with an engineer, it was decided to change
the heating system from steam to a hot water circulating system. This will be
more energy efficient, provide for a more consistent heat, and require less
maintenance due to the corrosion caused by steam. Final price estimates have
not been received from all the contractors involved.
Mr. Dansizen moved, Mrs. Schiltz seconding, to authorize
up to $100,000.00 from the Permanent Improvement Fund for the emergency
replacement of the boiler and the installation and updates needed to change
the system from steam to hot water. Ayes: Dansizen, Hoover, Lawton, Schiltz,
Smetana, Zollinger. Absent: Shoup.
It was reported that ITS Construction has completed the
repairs to the roof and recapped the north side of the second floor. Some
minor window caulking still remains, but it appears that all the leaks have
now been stopped.
Mrs. Hoover, Art Committee Chair, reported that the Rudy
Amatangelo tribute show, held in December, was one of the most successful
exhibits the gallery has had. The current show Artist 3 will continue through
February 20th. The Art from the Classrooms of the North Canton City Schools
will be on display from February 25th though April 17th 2005.
Mr. Dansizen, Strategic Planning Committee Chair, noted
that the committee will be meeting on January 25th at 9:00 a.m. to review the
2003-2005 Strategic Plan.
It was reported that negotiations with the Labor Union
are still proceeding. A meeting was held on January 12, with a mediator.
Future meetings have been scheduled for January 28th and February 11th.
Linda Bayman reported that some of the January programs
were postponed because of the boiler malfunction and weather. There are lots
of good programs scheduled for the winter months that she hopes will be well
attended.
Phil Stahler reported that the Friends of the Library
book sale had to be postponed because of the boiler malfunction. The sale has
been rescheduled for March 31 through April 3, 2005.
The next regular meeting of the North Canton Public
Library Board of Trustees will be held on March 16, 2005 at 8:00 a.m.
Mr. Smetana moved, Mrs. Zollinger seconding, to adjourn
the meeting at 8:44 a.m. Ayes: Dansizen, Hoover, Lawton, Schiltz, Smetana,
Zollinger. Absent: Shoup.
Thomas Shoup, President
Roberta Zollinger, Secretary
